Zali Steggall (Warringah, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I hosted an international climate policy panel with my co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Climate Action. We heard from the US ambassador Caroline Kennedy, the UK high commissioner Vicki Treadell, the EU ambassador Gabriele Visentin, and the German ambassador Dr Markus Ederer. Minister Bowen also addressed the panel. The UK has ambitious climate action, setting a world-leading target of 78 per cent emissions reduction by 2035. Under the UK's Climate Change Act, it is a legally binding long-term emissions reduction target, and the UK is making significant investments in offshore wind power.

The EU has adopted ambitious emissions reduction targets backed by significant funding for green technologies and initiatives. Their commitment to phasing out CO2-emitting cars and an emissions trading scheme has positioned them as a global leader. Germany has committed to 80 per cent emissions reduction by 2040, achieving 80 per cent renewable energy and phasing out gas heating from over 50 per cent of homes by 2030. The United States of course passed the Inflation Reduction Act last year, the most significant climate legislation in US history, deploying some US$400 billion to cut carbon emissions and dramatically incentivise investment in clean energy.

Australia must learn from these examples. I call on the government to commit to 75 per cent emissions reduction by 2035 and to get ambitious and accelerate our transition.